Uptake of antenatal HIV testing in London is unacceptably low

Though antenatal HIV testing should be offered to all women in areas of high prevalence, Gibb et al show (p 259) that in five major maternity units in inner London, uptake of testing was unacceptably low, ranging from 3% to 51%. Uptake among black African women and those with black African partners—groups at high risk—was similar to that among women at low risk.

Duffy et al show a similar finding for 789 women attending antenatal clinics in one London district in 1991-6 (p 270). Before booking all women were sent a leaflet on HIV. Overall 35% accepted testing (ranging from 10% to 41% in different types of clinic), but over a third of those who had intended to be tested changed their minds during the booking interview.


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